About the SSD Fire and Smoke Program

The Hazard Mapping System (HMS) is an interactive processing system that allows the trained satellite analysts in the Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB), within the Satellite Services Division (SSD), to manually integrate data from automated fire detection algorithms using GOES and polar (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)) images. The result is a quality controlled display of the locations of fires and significant smoke plumes detected by meteorological satellites.

Analysis for day 11/25/2008 last updated at 11/25/2008 18:25:36 GMT
Fires are in red. Fire size has been increased so fires are visible in this large view.
Smoke, when detected by the analyst, is in gray.

The information on fire position should be used as general guidance and for strategic planning. Tactical decisions, such as the activation of a response to fight these fires, should not be made without other information to corroborate the fire's existence and location. Users should note:

Areas outlined by green in the graphic above are the focus of the analysis. Coverage outside the 48 contiguous US states will typically be turned on seasonally or as significant smoke impacts the US. Areas outlined in blue are outside the current analysis area.

The HMS product is created and updated by a satellite analyst between 10am and 11pm Eastern time. After 11pm, the analysis is fine-tuned as time permits. The initial analysis for the day is generally available by about 12 noon. The product is finalized and "completed" for the archive the following morning - generally by around 800am.

The fire sizes depicted in the product are primarily determined by the field of view of the satellite instrument, or the resolution of the analysis tool. They should not be used to estimate specific fire perimeters.